Love & Life

CD

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Overview

Love & Life

For an in-demand R&B star with only the best producer connections, Mary J. Blige has always resisted crass commercial moves, preferring to sing straight from the heart, with an unparalleled blues- and gospel-rooted delivery. So it's not surprising that the raspy vocalist packs her latest disc with tunes that feel lived-in and real. But in contrast to 1994's confessional My Life and 2002's cathartic No More Drama, Love & Life's deft mix of hip-hop and R&B recaptures the more carefree mood of Blige's classic debut, What's the 411? The difference has everything to do with a thriving romantic relationship and a professional reunion with P. Diddy -- the producer who launched Blige's career more than a decade ago and returns to the booth for this disc. The good-time vibe is palpable on the energetic single "Love @ 1st Sight," which grabs its thumping beat from A Tribe Called Quest's "Hot Sex on a Platter" and reteams Blige with Wu-Tang charmer Method Man. Expanding upon the themes outlined in the album's title, Blige enlists hip-hop all-stars including 50 Cent (on the bombastic "Let Me Be the 1") and rap vixen Eve (for the girl-power anthem "Not Today"). Although her moods don't seem as ever-changing, Love & Life's blend of up-to-the-minute R&B, dance grooves, and melodic ballads proves the queen of hip-hop soul's reign is far from over.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I Got to give to Mary on this album. She remained focus and motivated throughout the album. She brings to the table a different light on respect, love and most of all she inspires us to remain true to ourselves and with our love ones. She gives us the opportunity to show us that we can love one another and enjoy the company of others. Just remember that inorder for us to achieve and truly accomplish our goals we have to stay focus.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

an average album, this is 2003, not the early 90s,her reunion but her vocals still maintain the connection.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I love mary, I have all her work, posters and all, but this album and the first cut of the last was average to mediocre. Her tone is off. She needs to stay in here range. Mary need to elicit the help of Faith Evans--

Guest

More than 1 year ago

She has Love and Life, combined she has a Love for Life and this album reflects just that!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

mary jane blige cd is the best. i support 100%and always will so go get the cd.i give it 100stars if i could but i can't so i give it 5 stars.please help her out and go get the cd.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Mary J. Blige is where she needs to be #1. Album is bringing it back to the streets, and she is still speaking from the heart. Mary keep up the excellent work, album is banging!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I'm feeling the whole cd. Everyone song has a great message for all who is experiencing a true love sent from God. The album is wonderful.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I love the new MJB album. I'm such a major fan, and she always brings a new feel to each album. I love the fact that Diddy and her are back together on this one because the My Life vibe is definitely here in this album. If you don't have this cd now, now you know to go out in get it!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Love & Life definitely takes me back to Mary's "My Life" album only the mood has gone from brokenhearted to redemption of life and the love she has for it, not only for herself but her fans as well! I know I'm lovin it!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I mean this CD had to have been sent by God. I think just about every song on here has happen to me in my life. It's like Mary was watching over me or something. I love Mary and everything she does but she really did it with this one. Her and Puffy together aint no stopping it. We can't forget about my boy Meth. Does he not tear that track up. All I got to say is if you don't get this CD you should just stop listening to music all together.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

The summer of 2003 goes out with a Bang! Love & Life is another Gem from the Queen of Hip-hop soul. She doesn't disappoint, she gives music lover's a cd truly worth buying!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Ms. Mary J never ceases to amaze me! This new CD is a must have in everyones music collection. "My Life" is my favorite album of hers, so when she said this will be on the same level, I was skeptical. She has done it again! I Love MJB!!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

this album is one that i cant stop listening to... if you watch the extra dvd included... youll find shes not out there to make hit songs with catchy beats. at some points mary feels the music so much she has to stop recording to cry because she means what shes singing and thats what brought me to enjoy her music even more. This album covers a lot more issues and its really easy to relate to...

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Love's greatest strength is "Mary J. Blige" the queen of hip-hop and R&B soul. This album is definitely a must to own... There's no other way to explain it!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I just love this cd. I have been and always will be an MJB fan and this girl is hot and is still the Queen!!!!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Love & Life isn't really interesting to listen because the album seems to sound like something Mary was forced to do by Puffy. In my opinion, the CD and Mary's style needs to really evolve.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

WEll, Mary is my favorite singer, and i've been waiting for this album every since the hype of rainy dayz, died down. And i was not disappointed, at all. I love it, i can relate, to such songs like 'Don't Go" and "Not Today" ft. rapper/actress Eve. Its awesome go pick it up

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This album is in sense a predecessor to her 1994 project "My LIfe", which was the last collaboration with P. Diddy before this new venture. The album opens with a mix tape feel, which definitely works, and has been missing from other artists' projects for quite some time. The rawness of "Don't Go" and "When We" (with an addictive chorus) sets the pace for the sure to be hit single, "Not Today" (featuring Eve). The hits continue with "Ohh" (slated to be the second single), "Love At FIrst Sight"-featuring Method Man (the first single) and the street preview favorite "Let Me Be The One" with Mr. Midas touch himself appearing - 50 Cent. Overall, a very good album.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This album was so good. I think it might be one of Mary's best. you can tell she took a long time to work on it because every song is so good and top 10 worthy. The lyrics are so personal and its obvious that she wrote most of the songs because it reflects her life so much.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

The MJB/P Diddy collabo struck back. This has the sound of My Life and What's the 411?. All tracks are hot and have radio play potential. The DVD is real too if you can get it. It takes a look in to the making of Love & Life. Cop this album now!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This album fully complements What's The 411 & My Life albums, but in a new sense of life, where mary is right now. With songs produced by Dr. Dre, P.Diddy, Mario Winans & Mary herself. All songs co-written also by Mary, this album has an amazing sound and very cool tracks and great collabos like Love @ 1st Sight with Method, Let Me Be The One with 50Cent and Not Tonight with Eve. Plus catch the limted edition which includes a bonus DVD including Soma album recording footage, and some Mary images such as Thanksgiving and New years Eve, so make sure you get this album. If you like R&B / Hip-Hop or Sould, really recommend it to you. Enjoy.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Mary's new Album is so hot. I like every song on the album. If you don't have you better go get

Guest

More than 1 year ago

HER BEST ALBUM TO DATE.I DID NOT SKIP OVERR ONE OF HER SONGS.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is just one of a few of the best cd's Mary has that will have your mind saying now this is talent. It's a new vibe a better Mary (Happier Mary). Congraulations!!!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I feel that Mary put here heart into this album. I can feel her love in every song. Keep up the good work. Ms. Diva "D" Miami